Lug strap bracket for picker stick



Jan. 17, 1956 R. J. HlGGlNBOTHAM 2,731,042

LUG STRAP BRACKET FOR PICKER STICK Filed Dec. 12, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 17, 1956 R. J. HIGGINBOTHAM 2,731,042

we STRAP BRACKET FOR PICKER STICK Filed Dec. 12, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent" LUG STRAP BRACKET FOR PICKER STICK Robert J. Higginbotham, Charlotte, N. c. Application December 12, 1952, Serial No. 325,615

Claims. (Cl. 139-154 2 This invention relates to lug strap brackets for the picker sticks of textile looms and more particularly to a metal bracket mounted on a picker stick to hold the lug strap in place on the picker stick and reinforce the picker stick and protect it from damage.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide an improved lug strap bracket which can be easily mounted on a conventional wooden picker stick and tightened on the stick to firmly clamp the latter; which holds the lug strap firmly in position on the associated picker stick and protects both the lug strap and the picker stick against excessive wear and other damage; which is adjustable to fit picker sticks of varying widths and thicknesses; which does not materially increase the weight or inertia of the picker stick; and which is simple and durable in construction, economical to manufacture and easy to install, and positive and effective in operation.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and the appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a picker stick and associated lug strap with a lug strap bracket illustrative of the invention mounted on the picker stick and receiving the lug strap;

Figure 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the lug strap bracket assembly;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the bracket assembly; Figure 4 is a side elevational view; Figure 5 is an end elevational view; Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of apicker stick and associated lug strap with a somewhat modifie form of lug strap bracket applied thereto;

Figure 7 is an exploded, perspective view of the modified bracket assembly illustrated in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a top plan view of the modified bracketj' Figure 9 is a side elevational view; and Figure 10 is an end elevational view of. the modified bracket.

With continued reference to the drawings, the picker stick 1G is of elongated rectangmlar cross sectional shape and is formed of a suitable hard wood, such as ash, hickory or maple. The lug strap 11 is formed of a composition material, such as fabric and rubber, and is U- shaped, receiving the picker stick between the legs and against the inner side of the closed end or bight portion 12 thereof and having its legs 13 and 14 connected at the open end of the U-shaped strap to a pull or lug bar 11' in a manner well known to the art.

The lug strap bracket, generally indicated at 15, in cludes a strap receiving portion 16 of rectangular shape having a bottom side 17 disposed below the lug strap 11 and ends 18 and 19 disposed one against each outer side of the lug strap. The bottom side and ends of the strap receiving portion 16 of the bracket are of elongated, rectangular cross sectional shape and are transversely curved to present convexly curved surfaces to the Y 2,731,042 Patented Jan. 17, 1956 adjacent surfaces of the lug strap. The bottom portion 17 is provided adjacent its midlength location with a notch 20 of rectangular shape in one edge thereof and the top side of the portion 16 includes two top side elements 21 and 22 extending inwardly from the end of the end portions 18 and 19 respectively at the ends of the latter remote from the bottom portion 17 and spaced apart at their adjacent ends a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the picker stick 10. Plates 23 and 24 of elongated, rectangular shape are joined, each at one corner to the top side portions 21 and 22 respectively at the ends of the latter remote from the correspending end portions 18 and 19 and extend outwardly from and laterally of the corresponding top side portions substantially perpendicular to the latter and in spaced apart and substantially parallel relationship to each other. The picker stick 10 is disposed between the side plates 23 and 24 and these plates have rectangular openings 25 and 26 respectively having a length somewhat greater than the width of the picker stick.

An abutment plate 27 of rectangular shape extends through the openings 25 and 26 at the ends of these openings nearest the top side elements 21 and 22 of the rectangular bracket portion 16 and across the space between the side plates 23 and 24. This abutment plate 27 is opposed to the adjacent edge of the picker stick 10 and has perpendicularly disposed flanges 28 and 29 on its respective opposite ends which flanges overlie the outer sides of the side plates 23 and 24 at the corresponding ends of the openings 25 and 26 to maintain the abutment plate in proper position in the bracket.

A cushion 30 of elongated rectangular shape and formed of a suitable resilient material such as leather, rubber composition or a reinforced synthetic resin plastic, is disposed between the abutment plate 27 and the adjacent edge of the picker stick 10 and extends along the corresponding edge of the picker stick through the notch 20 in the bottom side 17 of the bracket portion 16. The closed end portion of the lug strap 11 extends through the bracket portion 16 and the pad or cushion 30 is disposed between the inner surface of the closed end of the lug strap and the adjacent edge surface of the picker stick 10.

A second abutment plate 31 extends through the open- 10 opposite that engaged by the pad 30. This second abutment plate 31 has perpendicularly extending flanges 32 and 33 'on its respectively opposite ends overlying the corresponding side surfaces of the picker stick.

A nut 35 in the form of a flat plate of elongated, rectangular shape having a centrally disposed, tapped hole 36 extending therethrough extends through the openings 25 and 26 in the side plates 23 and 24 between the second abutment plate 31 and the adjacent ends of the openings. This nut bears against the edges of the side plates 23 and 24 at the corresponding ends of the openings '25 and 26 and is provided with laterally projecting lugs 37 disposed one at each corner thereof and engaging the outer sides of the side plates to retain the nut in the openings in the side plates.

A bolt 38 is threaded through the tapped hole 36 in the nut 35 and bears at one end against the abutment plate 31 to firmly clamp the picker stick 10 between the abutment plates 27 and 31 and secure the bracket 15 laterally to respectively opposite sides of the picker stick 10 and provides at the respectively opposite sides of the ,J- picker stick spaces of rectangular shape which closely receive the legs 13' and 14.0f the lug strap 11. The bracket thus holds the lug strap in close association with the picker stick and holds the strap against movement longitudinally of the stick.

In the modified arrangement illustrated in vFigures 6 to 10 inclusive the picker stick 10 and the lug strap 11 are the same as those illustrated in Figure l and de-' scribed above. The bracket generally indicated at 40, is somewhat different in construction, however, from the above described bracket 15.

The bracket 40 has a rectangular portion 4i formed of a length of strap metal of elongated, rectangular cross sectional shape and includes a bottom side 52 provided with a notch 43 receiving the pad- 30, ends 44 and 45 extending perpendicularly one from each end of the bottom 42 and top side elements 46 and d7 extending perpendicularly from the sides 44 and 45 at the ends of the latter remote from the bottom 42 toward each other. Ears 48 and 49 extend upward from the top elements 46 and 47 respectively at the ends of the latter remote from the corresponding ends 44 and 45 and are disposed substantially perpendicular to the top elements and in juxtaposed relationship to each other.

Side plates 50 and 51 are disposed in spaced apart and substantially parallel relationship to each other and have corresponding ends inwardly offset, as indicated at 52 and 53 providing butt portions 54 and 55 disposed against the respectively opposite outer sides of the juxtaposed ears 48 and. 49. The butt portions are secured to the cars by rivets 56 extending through spaced apart sets of registering apertures in the butt portions and the ears and the side plates 56) and 5i extend laterally in the same direction from the cars 48 and 49 substantially perpendicular to the rectangular frame portion 41.

The side plates 50 and 51 are provided respectively with openings 57 and 58 of rectangular shape extending from locations near the ends of the side plates remote from the cars 48 and 49 to locations intermediate the length of the side plates.

The pad or cushion 30 bears against the. inner sides of the inwardly offset portions 52 and 53' of the side plates and extends through the notch 43 in the bottom member 42 of the rectangular bracket frame 41, the material struck out to form the notch 43 being extended perpendicularly from the bottom 42 to provide -a tab 57 bearing on the pad. The picker stick 10 is disposed between the side plates 50 and 51 with one edge bearing against the pad 30 and. the lug strap 11 extends around the. picker stick. and the pad with its legs 13 and 14 extending through the spaces between the ends 44 and 45 of the rectangular bracket portion 41 and the adjacent sides of the; picker stick.

An abutment plate 60 ofrectangular shape has. closed slots 61 and 62- extending one along, each of two opposite edges thereof and this plate is slidably mounted on the side plates 50 and 51 with the side plates extending through the slots 61 and 62 respectively and the abutment plate bearing against the edge of the picker stick remote from the pad 30.

A washer plate 63 is disposed between the side plates 50 and 51 at the side of the abutment plate 60 remote from the picker stick 10 and has grooved bead formations 64 and 65 extending one along each of two opposite edges thereof and engaging the edges of the side plates at the ends of the openings 57 and 58. Thewasher plate 63 has a central aperture 66 therethrough and a bolt 67 extends through this aperture and bears at one end against the abutment plate 60. A nut 63 is threaded onto the bolt 67 at the side of the washer plate 63 adjacent the abutment plate 60 so that the bolt exerts pressure on the abutment plate to clamp the picker stick. in the bracket. A lock nut 69 is threaded onto the bolt at the side of the washer plate remote fronrthe abutment plate to lock the bolt in bracket clamping adjustment.

By inserting suitable spacers between the butt portions '54 and55 of the side plates and the cars 48 and 49 on to be. considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims, are, therefore,

intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a loom picker stick, a U- shaped lug strap extending around said stick with its closed end adjacent one edge of the stick and its legs disposed one at each side thereof, and a pad disposed between the closed end of said lug strap and said stick, 8. lug strap bracket comprising a bracket portion of rectangular shape extending laterally beyond the opposite sides of said stick and receiving the legs of said lug strap, side plates extending substantially perpendicularly from said bracket portion and disposed one at each side of said picker stick, an abutment plate slidably mounted on said side plates and bearing against the edge of said picker stick remote from said pad, and a nut and bolt means operatively engaging said side plates and said abutment plate to clamp said bracket on said picker stick.

2. In combination with a loom picker stick, a U-shaped lug strap extending around said stick with its closed end 1 adjacent one edge of the stick and its legs disposed one stick and receiving the legs of said lug strap, side plates extending substantially perpendicularly from said bracket portion and disposed one at each side of said picker stick, an abutment plate slidably mounted on said side plates and bearing against the edge of said picker stick remote from said pad, a nut supported by said side plates at the side of said abutment plate remote from said stick,

and a bolt threaded through said nut and bearing against said abutment plate to clamp said bracket on said picker stick, said bracket portion having juxtaposed ears extending perpendicularly from one side thcreof'and said side plates havinginwardly ofisetv end portions respectively disposed at the outer sides of said ears and secured to the latter, with said pad bearing against the. inwardly offset portions of said side plates.

3. In combination with a loom picker stick and a U-shaped lug strap receiving said picker stick intermediate the length of the latter and disposed substantially at, right angles to said picker stick with its legs disposed at respectively opposite sides of the picker stick and its closed end portion projecting outwardly from one edge of the picker stick, a lug strap bracket comprising a bracket portion of rectangular shape disposed against said one edge of. thepicker stick and closely receiving the closed end portion of said lug strap, fiat side plates of rectangular shape secured to one side of said bracket portion and extending perpendicularly therefrom in spaced apart and substantially parallel relationship to each other, said side plates being disposed against the respectively opposite sides of said picker stick and extending beyond the edges of said picker stick and each having an opening of rectangular shape therein, an abutmerit plate disposed between said side plates and against the edge of said picker stick remote from said bracket portion, abutment means disposed between said side plate; at said one edge of said picker stick, a nut disposed between said side plates outwardly of said abutmerit plate, and a bolt threaded through said nut and bearan. r

ing against said abutment plate to clamp the picker stick between said abutment means and said abutment plate.

4. In combination with a loop picker stick and a U- shaped lug strap receiving said picker stick intermediate the length of the latter and disposed substantially at right angles to said picker stick with its legs disposed at respectively opposite sides of the picker stick and its closed end portion projecting outwardly of one edge of the picker stick, a lug strap bracket comprising a bracket portion of rectangular shape disposed against said one edge of the picker stick and closely receiving the closed end portion of said lug strap, flat side plates secured to one side of said bracket portion and extending perpendicularly therefrom in spaced apart and substantially parallel relationship to each other, said side plates being disposed against the respectively opposite sides of said picker stick and extending beyond the edge of said picker stick remote from said bracket portion and each having an opening therein, an abutment plate disposed between said side plates and against the edge of said picker stick remote from said bracket portion, abutment means disposed between said side plate at said one edge of said picker stick, bolt receiving means disposed between and supported by said side plates outwardly of said abutment plate, and a bolt threaded through said bolt receiving means and bearing against said abutment plate to clamp the picker stick between said abutment means and said abutment plate.

5. In combination with a loom picker stick and a U-shaped lug strap receiving said picker stick intermediate the length of the latter and disposed substantially at right angles to said picker stick with its legs disposed at respectively opposite sides of the picker stick and its closed end portion projecting outwardly of one edge of the picker stick, a lug strap bracket comprising a bracket portion of rectangular shape disposed against said one edge of the picker stick and closely receiving the closed end portion of said lug strap, flat side plates secured to one side of said bracket portion and extending perpendicularly therefrom in spaced apart and substantially parallel relationship to each other, said side plates being disposed against the respectively opposite sides of said picker stick and extending beyond the edge of said picker stick remote from said bracket portion and each having an opening therein, an abutment plate disposed between said side plates and against the edge of said picker stick remote from said bracket portion, abutment means disposed between said side plate at said one edge of said picker stick, bolt receiving means disposed between and supported by said side plates outwardly of said abutment plate, and a bolt threaded through said bolt receiving means and bearing against said abutment plate to clamp the picker stick between said abutment means and said abutment plate, the sides and ends of said bracket portion and said side plates being of elongated rectangular cross sectional shape.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

